Romans 12

Bible Passage:  Romans 12

Dear Reader,

This may be just another letter for you to read besides Paul’s letters, I know. And I know you’ve got a lot to read but I’ve got a few questions about what you’re reading, if that’s okay? You may (or not) know the answers to these questions, but that’s okay because I just wanted you to know that you are not the only one thinking about these things.

How were you formed?

Remember that verse about the Lord forming us in the womb,
And He consecrated us before we were even born (Jeremiah 1:5).
Though I was baptized since infancy, I found it hard to believe…
That He gave us a purpose, a duty because He’s coming soon.

By His mercy, we can offer ourselves as living sacrifices—
Holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.
You know I don’t mean to literally offer ourselves as in Isaac’s case.
But we ought to change, be better and put away old vices.

How does sin deform you?

One of my vices or bad habit, whatever you want to call it, is procrastination.
What’s wrong with procrastination sometimes, you know, it’s just one of those days.
It may seem harmless at first but it gets worse and worse.
It’s like saying, “Oh, it’ll just be a few minutes”, next thing you know, you’ve missed a deadline, missed an important meeting, or you go unprepared for an examination.

I also know you are faced with pressures to conform;
Hang out with your friends, join your colleagues, listen to your beloved one(s).
If you don’t, you miss out, you get left out, you break up.
But if you do, your faith, your good character may risk some deform.

How can Jesus transform you?

Despite our shortcomings or lack of faith in Him,
His grace is sufficient for us.
Paul reminds us once again that God has given us each a measure of faith.
According to what God has assigned us, everyone can and should serve Him.

Imagine how your body functions.
In the same way your body works, we are members to the body of Christ.
Each of us has a function in this body of Christ, the church.
Each of us has a gift to make our church function.

If you asked me to be a pianist, I’d tell you I can’t.
I just don’t have the gift of being musically literate.
If you encouraged me to join the choir, I’d tell you I can try.
Because I know I can praise God even if I’m too shy to stand in front.

So this may just be another letter aside from the letter you may (or not yet) have already read. I hope that you’ll take something away from this reflection and be transformed by this changed perspective. May God’s grace continue to guide us, suffice us and change us.

Sincerely,

appleofHiseye